Happy Birthday Eli... How time flies. (Part 1)

I’m a couple of days late in posting this but I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my dear sweet little boy. Happy Birthday Eli! I can’t believe that he is already two. I had the hardest day on his birthday. I felt like I just needed to sit and hold him as much as I could. I felt like I couldn’t get enough of him but all he wanted was to get down and play. I guess that is why I was so sad. I just hate for my kids to get older because I know that all too soon they will be grown with families of their own.
I thought I would post some of my favorite pics of Eli. He was such a darling baby and has been a joy in our house. He makes us laugh so much. I am posting this from work because I don’t seem to remember to do it once I get home. I don’t have very many pictures here on this computer so I’ll have to post more when I get home.

This is our first little picture of our family. Don't you just love pictures of yourself right after you have had a baby. We were sure excited to have him here. Since I was enduced I pretty much knew about when he would be born. I usually get PIT and get my water broken by 8 and I told everyone that I would have this baby by noon and sure enough he was born at 11:49 am. I made my deadline. He was 8lbs 6oz.

This was Eli's cute little baby announcement. It says "Mandalyn welcomes her new little brother Eli. Born March 22, 2007 8lbs 6oz"
What cute kidlets. As you can see here Eli was born with some hair. It was the cutest thing. He was born already in style with the hair growing over his ears. How funny. It didn't last long before I cut it but I wish I would have waited longer. Mandalyn sure loves her brother and was so excited to see him when he finally came.
All I can say is precious!
See why it's so hard to let them grow up?
Oh look what a chubb-a Chubb he was . So cute. There were so many at this age I couldn't just pick one or two.

Handsome Eli is right. Do they get any cuter than this?

He was so funny during this photo shoot. He was really good at curling his tongue.

What a handsome little man. Mwah!

I think these pictures really show Eli's true personality. He is ALWAYS happy, and smiling.

Valentines Day 2009

We had a wonderful valentines day this year. Adam and I love to spend time with our kids and we wanted to do something fun as a family. So I arranged for us to take the kids to a play at BYU. We went to see Go Dog Go and it was so much fun. We had really good seats we were the second row back.

Mandalyn, Eli and Dad waiting for the show to start.

I wasn't supposed to be taking pictures during the play but I've got to have pictures for my blog so I broke the rules. shhhh!

My kids don't sit still for very many things but during this show they hardly moved a muscle. It was perfect.

I thought that the dogs cars were really clever. They did such a good job.

After the show the kids got to go meet the dogs. I was really suprised. Eli wasn't scared at all. He wanted to get right up there with the dogs and just hang out.

The pink poodle was Mandalyn's favorite dog. She had a really great hat. I just wish my pictures were more clear.

After the show Adam decided that we should take the kids bowling since we were at BYU so we headed over to the Wilkinson center and went bowling. The kids had so much fun.

So here's me and my little guy. He is so cute and I love that he is a mama's boy.

Eli thought that he could do the bowling all by himself. He would roll the ball...

Watch for it to knock the pins down....

then run to get another ball...

which of course he had to carry by himself.

Here's my little princess. She got a strike all by herself. I can't even do that!

After bowling we went out to dinner and then to visit grandma and grandpa baker for the evening. We spent the night talking and playing guitar hero. Anyway, my kids were perfect angels this dayand we really had a good time. I am so grateful for my kids. They are such a joy in my life and I love them very much. I also love my hubby very much. He is so good to me and is such a good guy. Happy Valentines Day! MWAH!

It's been a while since I posted and so I thought I would share some of my favorite conference talks that have really uplifted my spirit and help me press on. The first one is by Joseph B. Wirthlin it's called "Come what may, and love it. " He talks about the way we react in adversity however it also reminds me that when I'm struggling in so many ways in my life that Heavenly Father is here for me. It helps me to understand that when my life is filled with adversity and trials no matter how big or small it can be that he is there for us and if we prove our selves and endure our testimonies will be strengthened and we will be blessed for them. Elder Wirthlin's soothing voice and simple message brings comfort when it's needed most.

The second is a talk given by President Gordon B. Hinckley, it's titled "How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream?" Our young women's president shared this message with our young women during new beginnings this past week. While listening to her present this message I felt the spirit tell my heart that what she was saying was true, that the gospel truly is the way to return to Heavenly Father and it will truly make us happy.

When I was younger I remember my young women's leader asked my parents to write me a letter, I'm sure my parents told me some wonderful things about me but I remember my dad said that I needed to find Joy in the everyday things. I remember that I was a little taken back by it, that my dad hadn't just praised me however this has stuck with me because I don't find joy in the everyday things. I don't particularly like to do the dishes and the laundry etc. Periodically this has come to my attention and I have found that I need to reassess and be happier in the little things.

For me this has always been a struggle and I appreciate President Hinckley's encouragment he says "For you, my dear friends, the sky is the limit. You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class... Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to the Church.Never forget that you came to earth as a child of the divine Father, with something of divinity in your very makeup. The Lord did not send you here to fail. He did not give you life to waste it. He bestowed upon you the gift of mortality that you might gain experience—positive, wonderful, purposeful experience—that will lead to life eternal. He has given you this glorious Church, His Church, to guide you and direct you, to give you opportunity for growth and experience, to teach you and lead you and encourage you, to bless you with eternal marriage, to seal upon you a covenant between you and Him that will make of you His chosen daughter, one upon whom He may look with love and with a desire to help. May God bless you richly and abundantly, my dear young friends, His wonderful daughters.Look to the positive. Know that He is watching over you, that He hears your prayers and will answer them, that He loves you and will make that love manifest. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in all that you do as you look to become the kind of woman of whom you dream. You can do it. You will have friends and loved ones to help. And God will bless you as you pursue your course. This, girls, is my humble promise and prayer in your behalf."

I was talking to a friend about how hard it is to take the kids to church when our husbands have to work on Sundays. I often ask myself "why am I here?" She gave me great advice and told me just to do the best I can (thank you Rebecca) I know that we were put on this earth to be happy and that can stay faithful and endure, it is tough but he has given us a way,it is through living the gosple we will be happiest. It is important. I'm sorry that this is so long, It may not even make sense but I wanted to share these two talks because they really touched me.

8 Things Tag
Here are the rules:
1) Post rules on your blog
2) Answer the six '8' items
3) Let each person know by leaving them a comment.

8 favorite TV shows:
1. PRISON BREAK
2. HELL'S KITCHEN
3. THE BACHELOR
4. ARMY WIVES
5. CHOPPED
6. ER
7. AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL
8. ANY THING ON THE FOOD NETWORK

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. WENT TO CHURCH
2. MADE DINNER
3. TOOK A NAP
4. WENT TO YOUNG WOMEN'S NEW BEGINNINGS
5. SUNGGLED WITH MY KIDS
6. ATE AN ICE CREAM SANDWICH
7. PLAYED SCUM
8. WATCHED SOME TV

8 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. SPRING AND SUMMER
2. SUMMER VACATIONS
3. ANYDAY I DON'T HAVE TO BE AT WORK
4. LUNCH. I'M HUNGRY
5. MY HUSBAND BEING DONE WITH SCHOOL
6. JUDGING IN CALIFORNIA NEXT MONTH
7. RUNNING A 5K NEXT MONTH HOPEFULLY MORE THIS SUMMER
8. ENJOYING RUNNING.

8 favorite restaurants:
1. ADDIS (ETHIOPIAN)
2. RED ROBIN
3. RUBY RIVER
4. CAFE RIO
5. OTAVIO'S
6. TSING TAO
7. TEPANYAKI
8. CURRY IN A HURRY

8 Things on my wish list:
1. THE ECONOMY TO GET BETTER
2. GOING TO SAN FRAN
3. HOLLY WILL CHANGE HER LIFE AROUND.
4. BE A STAY AT HOME MOM
5. HAVE MORE KIDS
6. THAT MY MOM, DAD AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS CAN ALL HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP.
7. HAVE A FRUITFUL GARDEN.
8. MY FAMILY TO STAY HAPPY, SAFE AND HEALTHY

8 people I tag:
1. ANNELL
2. TINA
3. LADEAN
4. ERIN
5. NELLY
6. DANIELLE
7. KRISTI
8. RACHEL

Thanks Jeanette for the Tag. It was kind of hard though.

25 random things about ME!

I was tagged by Nancy, Amy and Melissa. I am tagging anyone who reads this.

1. The only two places I've traveled outside of the U.S. is Mexico and Haiti.
2. I lived in San Francisco after college and I think it's one of the greatest places on earth.
3. I love to cook and wish I went to culinary school.
4. Most of my best friends are men.
5. I met my husband country dancing when I asked him to dance. (not suprising, I know. )
6. I am a year older than my husband.
7. I can't play any sports. I try but I'm not good.
8. I want to travel the world someday. I would like to go to Africa and Europe the most.
9. My favorite food is Ethiopian food.
10. I love being home with my family. I get such anxiety when I have to leave my kids.
11. I have NO fashion sense. I have to rely on my sisters or the gals at the buckle to dress me.
12. I love the sound of a newborn baby's cry.
13. I have my Associates degree in photography but don't have time to do anything with it.
14. I love sweets. It doesn't matter what it is.
15. I turn the big 30 this year. I still think of my self as 19.
16. I love big families. I have 3 sisters and 5 brothers.
17. I always wanted a big family of my own but now that I have two kids, I'm thinking that may be plenty. I can't quite convince myself of that so probably one or two more.
18. I love to go to A&W for a rootbeer freeze.
19. I love to go to Beaver, Utah for the horse races. We look forward to it every year.
20. I love my little Chihuahua. He's just like one of my children and is just as excited for me to come home from work as my kids are.
21. I think I'm really blessed to have met so many great people in my life.
22. I love being pregnant.
23. I love to garden but hate weeding.
24. I make great salsa.
25. I wish I lived closer to my sisters and I wish I had a closer relationship with my sister in-laws.

My little dancer.

Mandalyn has been taking dance lessons from her aunt Natasha. She has really enjoyed it and it's been so good for her. She has picked it up so well. It was so fun to go to her first recital. I can't believe that I have a daughter old enough to be in dance recitals. I still feel like I'm 19. Anyway. I was so proud of her.

Eli and his friend Nick.

Mandalyn and her friend Shalynn.

Aunt Melanie and her boyfriend Pat with Mandalyn after the recital. Pat bought her the rose which was very fitting.

Funny Kids

My kids are so funny sometimes. Eli thinks it's so fun to play with my pots and pans. He thought this pan was the best hat and of course Mandalyn had to join in.

My kids rarley fall asleep on their own, Adam took this picture and I thought that it was pretty cute.

The Joys of Raising A Boy.

So for christmas my sister in law gave us some of those rice bags that you warm up in the microwave that are sort of like a heating pad, this one had the big field corn in it. Well, Mandalyn and her friend threw one down the stairs and of course it broke open.

Eli was helping the girls pick the corn up and thought that he was so cool because he had found a new trick. He came to me and showed me how he could stick one up his nose. Of course I laughed cause it was pretty funny, we made him take it out and thought that was done. Pretty soon his nose was bleeding and sure enough he stuck a piece way up there, and of course it was in the evening after the doctor was closed and we didn't want to take him to the ER.

What to do? Then Adam remembered that our dentist was telling us that he uses his suction to clean out his kids sinuses when they are really sick. So, thank goodness our dentist is practically family. We called him and he sucked it out for us. Here are some pictures.

This picture is funny it looks like Adam is using this moment to grab a feel but I assure you he wasn't he was just trying to hold Eli's hands down.

New Baby.

We have a new baby in the family and it's not mine. My little sis Holly had her baby Nevaeh last week. she was about 3 months premature so she'll be in the hospital for quite some time. Check out my sister's (Annell) blog (www.rfamily93.blogspot.com) for a picture. It's amazing what doctors can do to help these little ones survive. She is going to need all of the prayers that she can get to help her through the next couple of months.